Animal-scratching device



July 31, 1945. F, HEESE ANIMAL-SCRATCHING DEVICE Filed June 7, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 9i i. W

Patented July 31, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ANIMAL-SCRATCIHNG DEVICE Fred L. Heese, Penden'Nebn, asslg'nor to Autotmatic Equipment Manufacturing Company,

Pender, Nebr., a corporation of Nebraska Application June 7, 1944, Serial No. 539,103-

' 2 Claims. (01.- 119-157) guide'bearing 9 which is' provided therefor on the top member 2 of the frame I. Fixed on the upper end of the tube 6 and communicating therewith is a container II) for the reception of a mixture of oil and powder.

Mounted on the top 2 of the frame I is an arcuate bar II. Depending from the arcuate bar II Other objects of the invention are to provide an animal-scratching device of the character set forth which will be relatively simple in construction, strong, durable, highly efficient and reliable in operation, compact and which may be produced and installed at low cost.

All of the foregoing, and still further objects and advantages, of the invention will become apparent from a study ofthe following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters ofreference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in front-elevation of an animal-scratching device constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a view in horizontal section through the device, taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, looking downwardly, as indicated by the arrows. Figure 3 is a view principally in vertical section through the upper portion of the device;

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the present invention which has been illustrated comprises a channel iron frame of substantially inverted U-shape, which is designated generally by the reference character I. The frame I is adapted to be mounted on suitable supporting means such, for example, as a pair of posts fixed in the ground. The frame I includes a top member 2 and a pair of legs 3.

Operable vertically between the legs 3 of the frame I is a frame I. An arcuate'brush 5 is mounted in the frame 4. 'A vertical tube 6 is provided with a threaded lower endportion I which passes through the frame 4 and. the brush 5. Nuts 8 onthe threadedfend portion I of the tube 6 secure said tube in position. It will be observed that the nuts 8 are located above the frame. and below the brush 5.

The tube 6 passes slidably through a vertical is a stationary screw shaft I2 which extends downwardly through the container I0 into the tube 6. The construction and arrangement is such that the tube 6 and the container II) are capable of vertical movement independently of the stationary screw shaft. I2; An opening I3 in the top I4 of the container III accommodates the stationary screw shaft I2.

Mounted on the stationary screw shaft I2 and operable in the container I0 is an agitator I5. The agitator I5 includes a hub or nut I6 which is threadedly mounted on the screw shaft I2. Spirally twisted blades II radiate from the nuts I6. In the embodiment shown, a ring I8 spaces the agitator I5 from the bottom I9 of the container I0, said ring having passages 20 therein establishing communication at all times between the tube 6 and said container.

In operation, the movable members of the device are normally inv substantially the position shown in Figure 3 of the drawings. The container I0 may be loaded in any suitable manner on the stationary screw shaft I2.

to the desired level with the oil and powder in the correct proportions. When an animal passes through the device, the arcuate brush 5 engages its back and rides upwardly thereon. In this manner the tube 6 and the container III are elevated and the agitator I5 is forced upwardly Thus, the agitator I5 is rapidly rotated for thoroughly stirrin or mixing the oil and the powder in the container I0. With the mixture in this substantially liquid or semi-liquid state, it flows downwardly through the tube 6 and is deposited by gravity on the back of the animal passing through the device. After the animal has cleared the device and the members 5, 6 and II) have returned to their lower position, the agitator I5 turns downwardly by gravity on the screwshaft I2 and comes to rest on the ring I8, ready for the next operation.

It is believed that the many advantages of an animal-scratching device constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood, and although a preferred embodiment of said device is as illustrated and described, it' is to be understood that changes in the details of construction may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. An animal-scratching device comprising ai'rame, a brush, operable by an animal, siidablc on said frame, a container, for the reception of a mixture, mounted on the brush and movable therewith, a stationary screw shaft mounted on the frame and projecting into the container,- an agitator for the mixture threadedly mounted on the screw shaft and rotatable thereon in the container, upon vertical movement of the con: tainer relative to the screw shaft, and means for depositing the mixture from the container on 2. An animal-scratching device comprising a frame, a brush, operable by an animal, mounted for vertical sliding movement on said frame, a vertical tube on the brush, a container, for the reception of a mixture, mounted on the tube and communicating therewith, a stationary screw shaft on the frame projecting into the container and the tube, and an agitator for the mixture threadedly mounted on the screw shaft in the container and rotatableby said screw shaft upon vertical movement of the container rela tive thereto.

- FRED L. HEESE. 

